End of an Era: MTV to Shut Down UK Music Channels After Nearly 40 Years
MTV, the world’s first 24-hour music television network, is officially closing a major chapter in its history. The iconic brand will shut down five of its UK music channels — MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live — on December 31, marking the end of nearly four decades of continuous music broadcasting.
The move reflects a dramatic shift in how audiences consume music today. With platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and other social media outlets dominating music video streaming, traditional TV music channels have experienced a steady decline in viewership.
Although Paramount, MTV’s parent company, has not released an official statement, reports indicate that the closures are part of a global cost-cutting strategy to save approximately $500 million (£376 million). Similar shutdowns are expected in countries including Australia, Poland, France, and Brazil.
Launched in the US in 1981, MTV transformed music entertainment by introducing “video jockeys” (VJs) and airing pop videos around the clock. It delivered unforgettable moments such as the debut of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, the 1985 Live Aid concert broadcast, and the creation of the MTV Video Music Awards.
MTV expanded into Europe in 1987, with the UK launching its own channel a decade later in 1997. Its first video was Three Lions by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner. Over the years, MTV UK helped launch the careers of beloved presenters like Cat Deeley, Zane Lowe, and Emma Willis, and later evolved into reality programming with hits like Ex On The Beach and Teen Mom UK.
Despite the shift, the channels still maintained a loyal audience. In July, MTV Music reached 1.3 million viewers, while MTV 90s drew 949,000, according to Barb ratings.
Paramount is now focusing on streaming platforms, including Paramount+, and its vibrant presence on social media to keep the MTV brand alive for younger generations.
This closure signifies not just the end of a broadcast era, but also the evolution of music consumption in the digital age.
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